GI tag will help to protect these exclusive special local crops and pave way for better branding and marketing of these products both in domestic and international Market.

Geographical Indication (GI) accorded products are

Assam Karbi Anglong Ginger.

Assam Tezpur Litchi.

Meghalaya Khasi Mandarin.

Sikkim Large Cardamom.

Mizoram Bird Eye Chilly.

Manipur Kachai Lemon.

Tripura Queen Pineapple.

Arunachal Orange.

Nagaland Tree Tomato.

Union Government owned North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC) had played important role in getting GI registry. North Eastern Council (NEC) provided the financial support to this initiative.

About Geographical Indication (GI)

Geographical Indication is an insignia on products having a unique geographical origin and evolution over centuries.

It is a mark of authenticity and ensures that registered authorised users (or at least those residing inside the geographic territory) are allowed to use the popular product name.

In India GI registration is governed by the Geographical Indications of goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

India and Mauritius have inked 5 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to give new impetus to bilateral co-operation.

These MoUs were signed in Port Luis, Mauritius during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to island nation as part of three-nation tour of Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka for cementing strategic partnership with these island courtiers.

Following MoUs were signed

MoU in the field of Ocean Economy-

It will provide an extensive framework for cooperation in the field of Ocean Economy between two countries for sustainable development in the Indian Ocean Region.

It includes mutually beneficial cooperation for exploration and capacity development in the field of marine resources, green tourism, fisheries, research and development of ocean technology, exchange of experts and other related activities.

Programme for Cultural Cooperation between both nations for the year 2015-18

The programme will provide enhanced bilateral cooperation between both nations in this field for the term 2015-2018. It will enhance people-to-people participation between the two countries

Protocol between both countries for the importation of fresh mango from India

The aim of this Protocol is to facilitate Mauritius with importation of world-renowned Indian mangoes. This protocol is between India’s Union Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security of Mauritius.

MoU for the Improvement in Air and Sea Transportation Facilities at Agalega Island of Mauritius

It provides provisions for setting up and upgradation of infrastructure for improving sea and air connectivity at Agalega Island of Mauritius and Outer Island.

These facilities will help to enhance the capabilities in safeguarding interests of the Mauritian Defence Forces in the Outer Island.

MoU on Cooperation in the field of Traditional System of Medicine and Homeopathy

It will promote cooperation in the field of traditional system of health and medicine between the both countries.

It envisages exchange of experts, joint R&D and recognition of the traditional systems of health and medicine, supply of traditional medicinal substances, in both countries.

It also aims to promote and popularization of the various Indian traditional systems of AYUSH.

In annual budget state government has given main thrust on agriculture, education, power, health, roads and infrastructure development.

Key facts from budget

The budget also contains the fiscal deficit of 2.96% of the total GDP of the state. Whereas the state’s debt is expected to be around 27.5% of its GDP.

Taxes: For 2015-16 no new taxes have been levied in the budget.

Agriculture: State government has declared year 2015-16 as the Farmers year. In this regard 1000 Agri centrs will be established to promote agriculture as a good mean of livelihood among young farmer entrepreneurs.

Government Schemes: State government has included new schemes of over Rs 9388 crores in the budget. For farmer’s accident insurance scheme, Rs 600 crores have been allocated.